As many have pointed out, the combination of China's continued and escalating control of RE's, and the west finally comprehending the seriousness of this situation, will see us funded in 2025.
Whether it is Belfast, Brazil or in the US, escalating tensions and Trumps hard line stance is finally sparking governments to do something about it.
Brazil is taking this to the next level, as mentioned in previous posts and then this again today, with investment now standing at AU$1.3B
BNDES is a development bank structured as a federal public company associated with the Ministry of the Economy of Brazil created to provide long-term financing for endeavours that contribute to the country’s development.
Credit lines available
The two financial institutions are offering credit lines, equity participation in companies and non-reimbursable resources with the goal of developing the chain of sustainable strategic materials in the country.
Finep identified the development of lithium, rare earth, nickel, graphite and silicon chains, among others, as well as the mobilisation of investments for the manufacture of components: battery cells, photovoltaic cells and permanent magnets as a major focus for the collaboration.
The support will cover industrial-scale plants and also pilot or demonstration plants, research and studies necessary for the viability of new industrial capacities, depending on the stage of the projects and technologies involved. With this, this call for proposals may leverage investments in the coming years in a volume of five to ten times larger than the budget made available.
Finep president, Celso Pansera, said Brazil’s strategic mineral production projects are among the best in the world.
World critical minerals powerhouse
He added that the Brazilian territory has the largest reserve and production of niobium in the world the 2nd largest reserve of natural graphite, the 3rd largest reserve of nickel, the 3rd largest reserve of rare earths, among others, in addition to being responsible for the fifth largest production of lithium and the third largest production of silicon.
“Brazil, with its science and vast reserves of strategic minerals, is uniquely positioned to lead the global energy transition. We do not want to be just a supplier of natural resources, but a protagonist in creating a more sustainable future, in which technologies result in a greener, low-carbon economy and contribute to a better quality of life for people, now and for future generations,” said Finep President Celso Pansera.”
“The country is on its way to consolidating itself as one of the largest suppliers of critical materials for production chains included in the energy transition and decarbonization agenda, in addition to being applied in other technologies.”
Different links in the supply chain
According to BNDES president Aloizio Mercadante, the financiers expect to see stakeholders from different links in the production chains respond to the call.
“Miners and holders of technologies and experience in transformed materials and manufactured components inside and outside the country will be able to form partnerships and count on the best financing options for industries in Brazil,” he said.
“The call represents an important step forward in the mineral sector to achieve the Brazilian government’s objectives of expanding the industry’s production capacity in the context of sustainable and technological development of the new industrial policy and the ecological transformation plan.”
So it seems the time for IXR is finally upon us.....the long wait to secure our future may be just around the corner.
But who will be the first to splash some cash?
The UK?
The US?
Brazil?
Or maybe ALL 3...
I don't have the answer, but I know it will happen, and will happen this year.
And with the rush for rare earths semingly at fever pitch, it may come sooner than we think...
Good luck everyone...
(20min delay)